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Fawad Ahmed should debut against Windies next week

After Australia's big win in the first Test, Fawad Ahmed is unlikely to get a run in the Caribbean. How will it affect his Ashes chances? (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Expert
28th May, 2015
33

There could barely be better circumstances for a spinner to make their Test debut than against the mediocre West Indies on one of the world’s most spin-friendly decks, at Roseau.

That is the generous scenario which will be presented to Australian leg spinner Fawad Ahmed if he is selected for the first Test starting on Wednesday.

Windsor Park in Dominica is beloved by slow bowlers in the West Indies domestic competitions – and with good reason.

It typically features a parched, dusty strip of turf which offers noticeable turn from day one and variable bounce as the match progresses.

Over the past two Tests at the ground, spin bowlers have run amok, taking 47 wickets, which amounted to a whopping 71 per cent of dismissals.

When Australia last played at Roseau in 2012, spinners dominated. Twenty six wickets were taken by spinners, compared to just twelve for the quicks, despite the fact both teams fielded three specialist fast bowlers.

In an indication of just how amenable the surface was to spin bowling, part time tweakers Michael Clarke, David Warner and Narsingh Deonarine together took nine wickets.

The most recent Test at the ground, two years ago, was even more lopsided in favour of the slow men.

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As the Windies thrashed Zimbabwe by an innings, 21 of the 28 wickets for the match were snared by spinners.

By comparison, the venue for the second Test between Australia and the Windies – Sabina Park in Jamaica – has tended to offer far more assistance to the quicks.

The last two Tests at the ground have seen pacemen grab 65 per cent of the wickets to fall.

As a result, Australia probably will be looking at the second Test as a chance to hold a bowl-off between two of their three supporting fast men Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle ahead of the upcoming Ashes.

Ahmed’s opportunity is in Roseau. If Australia are genuinely considering him playing a role in the Ashes then he must be afforded the easiest possible introduction to Tests next week on a perfect pitch against a weak batting line-up.

Given Nathan Lyon’s strong Ashes record of 28 wickets at 31, it seems unlikely Ahmed will be in Australia’s starting XI for the first Ashes Test in July.

If he is to play a part in the Ashes it will likely be because both Lyon and Australia are struggling.

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To make your Test debut in such circumstances would be an enormous challenge. Entering the fold at this point would be considerably less difficult had Ahmed already got his debut out of the way in far easier circumstances.

Australia next week are certain to field at least one pace bowling all-rounder in their top six in either Shane Watson or Mitchell Marsh.

So if Ahmed plays at Roseau alongside Lyon the tourists would still have three solid pace options.

Of course, the makeup of the side could be influenced significantly by performances in Australia’s three-day tour match which started on Wednesday.

On day one, the spell I saw from Ahmed was marked by good control and tantalising flight. Given his lack of cricket in recent months, he looked in tidy rhythm.

He deserves a chance to test himself at the highest level next week.

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